Everything You Need To Know About Yosemite National Park

Above, Upper Yosemite Fall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the government shutdown is over, operations are returning to normal (at least normal for the winter season) at Yosemite National Park.

But, before going, check the road conditions first.

The Mercury News has posed "everything you need to know" about Yosemite.

They begin with:

The majestic peaks and snow-dusted landscapes of Yosemite National Park never fail to inspire wonder. But they inspired concern, too, during the recent 35-day government shutdown. The park kept most of its gates open and fires still crackled in the grand Ahwahnee-era fireplaces of the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, but even Yosemite was not immune to the effects of the shutodwn. 

Now the portions of the park that were shuttered during those five long weeks — the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, for example, and some snow play areas — have reopened. Rangers returned to their posts this week. And it’s time to head for the wilderness once more. 

Park admission is $35 per car for a weeklong pass. (Hang on to that receipt. You’ll have to show it again every time you enter or exit the park.) An annual pass is $70, but if you’re going that route, go all in and get the $80 American the Beautiful pass which grants you a year’s admission to all the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands.

To read more, go here.